Newton and the Patriots have touched base

[Mr. Scot]

More here: Cam Newton and the Patriots have been in contact at least once this offseason

Excerpt...

If there's one potential free agency move that's been a popular talking point this offseason, it's the idea of Cam Newton going to New England. With Newton on the open market in the same year where the Patriots are dealing with a giant question mark at quarterback, it's a move that could make some sense.

Of course, before anything could happen, the two sides would actually have to talk to each other, and although there had been no indication that something like that had happened, it now appears that Newton and the Patriots HAVE had some contact this offseason. 

According to ESPN.com, the two sides had some contact shortly after Newton became a free agent on March 24, but nothing materialized, which is why Cam isn't currently wearing a Patriots uniform. Just because nothing came of the talks doesn't necessarily mean that Patriots won't circle back and check in on Newton later this offseason. 

According to the Boston Sports Journal, the contact was initiated by Newton's camp and wasn't met "positively or negatively" by the Patriots. 

Although this could easily mean the Patriots just aren't interested in Newton, it could also mean that they aren't interested right now. Newton has been battling some serious injuries over the past two years, and although he's been sharing workout videos this offseason to try and prove that he's healthy, the fact of the matter is that there would be no way for the Patriots to confirm that he's healthy, because their medical team isn't allowed to check him out just yet due to NFL traveling restrictions that are still in place due to the pandemic.

There's simply no way that Bill Belichick is going to OK the signing of a quarterback like Newton without knowing his health status. Newton has missed 16 games over the past two years while dealing with both shoulder and foot injuries. 

So would the Patriots even be open to adding a QB?

Although the Patriots currently have four quarterbacks on their roster in Brian Hoyer, Jarrett Stidham, Brian Lewerke and J'Mar Smith, Belichick hasn't ruled out the possibility of bringing in another guy. 

"You never know what's going to happen down the road," Belichick said on May 7. "But we feel like we have four good players there."

[OneBadCat]

Probably the best place for him. Damn shame it came to this. It's literally like Anakin joining the god damn dark side because the Panthers (Jedi) failed him. So naturally our arch nemesis will sign him.

[Mr. Scot]

Analysts have noted that Newton isn't a "plug and play" quarterback you can just stick into any system. You have to build around his skill set.

With that in mind, it's worth noting that the Patriots are probably the most adaptable team in the league. They deliberately seek out players who are smart enough to "shift on the fly", so they're arguably the team best suited to bring him in as a midseason replacement.

The problem? Their cap space is virtually nada. They'd either need to create enough space to sign him to a decent contract or Newton would need to be willing to settle for a lower deal (or both).

[panthers55]

Doubt Newton is a good fit personality wise. Cam is loose, let's have fun, don't take ourselves too serious. Wears outrageous clothes, moves to the beat of his own drum.

On the other hand, Belichick and company seems to be no nonsense, win at all costs by any means necessary. If you ain't cheating you ain't trying. Winning is the only reason to be happy.

Probably the one area they totally agree on is they both hate to lose. I don'tknow if that is enough to overshadow the rest.

And yes, the personalities do matter and it wouldn't be the Patriots accommodating to Cam 

[Mr. Scot]

4 minutes ago, panthers55 said:

Doubt Newton is a good fit personality wise. Cam is loose, let's have fun, don't take ourselves too serious. Wears outrageous clothes, moves to the beat of his own drum.

On the other hand, Belichick and company seems to be no nonsense, win at all costs by any means necessary. If you ain't cheating you ain't trying. Winning is the only reason to be happy.

Belichick's former Patriots colleague Scott Pioli doesn't buy that a Newton-Belichick partnership would work.

That said, Belichick is committed to winning above all else. 

Who knows?

[nosuchthingasapanther]

18 minutes ago, panthers55 said:

And yes, the personalities do matter and it wouldn't be the Patriots accommodating to Cam 

this sums it up.

it doesn't matter how talented they are, every outspoken personality that has ever played for the patriots has been put in check. the split second they step out of line...they are gone without even a hint of hesitation. 

[scpanther22]

Newton may be brash in the way he dresses but honestly he's toned down the celebrations the past couple seasons and post-game interviews he usually doesn't say much..

 

I think a lot of people tend to overstate his personality from his earlier seasons

[nosuchthingasapanther]

5 minutes ago, scpanther22 said:

Newton may be brash in the way he dresses but honestly he's toned down the celebrations the past couple seasons and post-game interviews he usually doesn't say much..

 

I think a lot of people tend to overstate his personality from his earlier seasons

of course his celebrations have toned down and he hasn't said much post-game, he's barely been on the field.

[scpanther22]

Just now, nosuchthingasapanther said:

of course his celebrations have toned down, he's barely been on the field.

yeah thats part of it for sure

I tend to think Newtons attracts more attention just by being him that actual attention he's going out of his way to seeks..so i don't think he'd be an issue for a system like NE

[stirs]

I could see BB wanting Cam to be the Red Zone QB, but not sure Cam would want a diminished role like that

[ickmule]

Not gonna happen.  

[Brooklyn 3.0]

If you thought the deep south racists trashed Cam ... wait til he meets southie.

[Wolfcop]

Doesn't seem like a good fit. That offense, while adaptable, relies on precision passing with the air attack. 

[RASTAN66]

5 hours ago, Mr. Scot said:

According to the Boston Sports Journal, the contact was initiated by Newton's camp and wasn't met "positively or negatively" by the Patriots. 

Although this could easily mean the Patriots just aren't interested in Newton, it could also mean that they aren't interested right now.

Sounds like Cam's agent left a message with the receptionist and the Patriots never called back.

 

0.00% chance Cam ever suits up for the home team in Foxborough....the cultural fit (or lack thereof) is a complete non-starter.